General Paper is a much-dreaded subject in junior college, infamous for its challenging essay questions that require both critical thinking and strong writing skills. However, even the most proficient writers can find themselves struggling with writer’s block whilst trying to craft a strong essay under time constraints. If this is something you’ve experienced before, or if you’re looking to avoid getting to that point, then check out this article for tried and tested techniques advocated by some of the best GP tuition programmes to help you overcome or prevent writer’s block.
Learn more: Ways To Nurture Your Kid’s Love For The English Language
Freewrite
Freewriting is one of the most effective ways to overcome writer’s block. As the name suggests, this involves writing non-stop for about 10 to 15 minutes without stopping to worry about flow, grammar, or even coherence. The purpose of freewriting is to get your thoughts flowing and break through the initial mental barrier that often comes as a result of your anxiousness to write well. Having something to edit later on is much better than not having anything to work on at all.
Here at our general paper tuition in Singapore, we advocate freewriting as a means for our students to:
Generate ideas: Often, the act of writing itself can trigger ideas and associations you might not have considered before.
Warm up: It’s like a warm-up exercise for your brain, preparing you for more structured writing.
Reduce anxiety: By giving yourself permission to write without judgement, you can reduce anxiety and build confidence in your writing ability.
Don’t Try to Use Unfamiliar Words
Much like writing a regular English essay, it’s easy for students to want to incorporate newfound words into their writing in an effort to impress. However, without regular or familiar usage of said new words, it’s easy for this to backfire, leading to confusion and incoherence instead. A general rule of thumb for all kinds of writing is to ensure that the message is clear, coherent, and easy to understand. To do that, use words you’re comfortable with and ensure that they’re accurately used. It’s better to express your ideas clearly with simple language than confuse your reader with convoluted vocabulary. As our general paper tuition in Singapore would regularly emphasise—simplicity is key.
Brush Up on Your Vocabulary
On the other hand, having a wide range of vocabulary can also help you express your thoughts and ideas more accurately and eloquently, as the English language is incredibly nuanced. The best GP tuition programmes don’t just focus on essay writing; here at The Thought Tailor, we help students improve their vocabulary by encouraging them to:
Read widely: Make reading a habit and explore a diverse range of materials, including newspapers, magazines, literature, and academic articles.
Create a word bank: Keep a journal or digital document where you jot down new words you encounter and try to use them in your writing.
Use vocabulary-building apps: There are numerous apps and resources available to help you expand your vocabulary, many of which can be downloaded free of charge from app stores on your respective smartphones.
Write the Introduction Last
A rather unconventional but effective technique, writing the introduction last could seem a little strange. However, considering how the introduction sets the tone and direction for your essay, it could sometimes be a stumbling block for many writers. By leaving it until the end, you have a better grasp of your essay’s main points, allowing you to then form a more effective introduction.
Writing the body of your essay first can help you:
Clarify your ideas: As you delve into the body of your essay, your thoughts become clearer, making it easier to introduce your topic effectively.
Ensure relevance: Your introduction will be more precise when you know precisely what your essay discusses.
Save time: You won’t waste time trying to perfect the introduction before you even have a full grasp of your essay’s content.
Enrol in GP Tuition to Get Extra Help
Sometimes, overcoming writer’s block requires professional guidance and support from experts. Enrolling in general paper tuition in Singapore can provide you with the extra help you need to excel in the subject. Here at The Thought Tailor, you’ll have access to experienced tutors who can offer personalised strategies to overcome writer’s block, improve your essay-writing skills, and enhance your critical thinking abilities.
Choosing the best GP tuition is essential to ensuring you receive quality guidance. Look for tuition centres that have a proven and consistent track record of helping students achieve excellent results. With a curated team of award-winning MOE-trained teachers with decades of experience teaching in top schools, as well as a dedicated curriculum research team, The Thought Tailor is well-equipped to tackle every GP-related problem that our students may face, helping them overcome roadblocks and ultimately excel in the subject. Contact us today to get started!
